PSA: Worth a shot for those with Lowe's in your area

[Bulbofett]

Not sure if anyone has done this. I didn't search the forums for a thread that already answers this question, but it might be worth bringing up again anyways.

I was super bummed this year that Lowe's wasn't carrying any orchids other than Phals. Last year I scored a ton of bag babies like Den. Spectabile, C. Volcano queen, etc... so I called their corporate office who contacted the stores, and they just called to tell me the new orders should be in stores in 2 weeks! That was suspiciously easy, so we'll see if they send any.

So, if you have a Lowe's that sells orchids in your area it might be worth a try. I guess because they weren't big sellers that's why they were discontinued this year.

A lot of people say this hurts the mom and pop orchid stores, but I don't have any nurseries in my area. The nearest one is Carter and Holmes which is about 2hrs away.

I'll update this thread if they hold true to their word.

[lotis146]

The Lowe's in my area has never - as far as I know - carried anything other than Phals. I've never wondered otherwise since I've never seen anything other than Phals at all the big box stores. I figured they were just the cliche orchids, especially since they require less light than Catts. It wasn't until I joined here and started reading the threads that I learned big box stores elsewhere frequently carry all kinds.

You might also try your local floral shops. Pay them a visit and see if they carry any. If they do the only problem may be that they are a bit more expensive. I don't know if you wait till they're discounted at Lowe's to buy them but that would discourage them as well I think if they didn't sell many until they were all dying.

Good luck though, it'll be interesting to know if they do what they say!

[LovePhals]

That's great!! Thanks, I was wondering why they haven't had any here in the last year. I always check, though.

[Orchid Whisperer]

When I am traveling ( for work, play, etc.), if time permits I stop by Lowes when I drive past one. I have picked up some nice Catt hybrids that way.

I do patronize my local orchid grower (Jewell Orchids) and if I can get something through them, I do that.

My local Lowes seems to get different things as "bag babies" each year, some (most) are good finds.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

When I am traveling ( for work, play, etc.), if time permits I stop by Lowes when I drive past one. I have picked up some nice Catt hybrids that way.

I do patronize my local orchid grower (Jewell Orchids) and if I can get something through them, I do that.

My local Lowes seems to get different things as "bag babies" each year, some (most) are good finds.

I, too, try to get as much from my local area as possible. I'm so worried I'll wake up in the near future and have no US based nurseries to choose from because their isn't a profit in it for them these days. I dunno if I'm more aware or what but I see more and more nuseries closing these days than I ever did before (orchid and regular alike).

[Ferns Daddy]

I have two large garden centers near me and all the have are Phals, Lowes hasn't carried any thing other than Phals for all most two years now, I order on line if I find some thing I want, Lowes is so bad now for house plants they don't even have African violets so those come from a ebay seller.

[CA2FLxplant]

I was just at my Lowe's and picked up this NOID Oncidium...flowers seem huge and I'm thinking its some Intergeneric. Smells like fresh cut grass or green tea...

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by CA2FLxplant

I was just at my Lowe's and picked up this NOID Oncidium...flowers seem huge and I'm thinking its some Intergeneric. Smells like fresh cut grass or green tea...

Our lowe's has nothing but Phals now. The last bag babies I saw there was in 2012 when I got 2 baby Catts. Never have I seen anything like what you have. I wonder sometimes if it has to do with the part of the country they are in. Seems like CA and FL for instance have a bigger variety than those like the colder parts of the country ( I am unstate NY )

[RJSquirrel]

lowes and Home depot are a great place to get orchids starting out and learning bec they come with a 1 year warranty. you kill em just take em back and get another one. until you learn how to stop killing them let them pay for your training..and how I learned on a thin dime to grow orchids and OB of course


(its kind of embarrassin draggin a dead plant back to lowes though so I put them in bags so no one would know.)

[Kari_Stein]

I didn't realize either store (Lowes or Home Depot) had warrantees. I'll keep that in mind.

The Lowes near here had Cattleyas last spring, but didn't recently. I don't know if it's seasonal or a permanent change.